Has Bestop made any upgrades to the construction of their soft tops over the years?

AutoCrat

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Another “Bestop” question team. I have an opportunity to purchase a NOS. “Khaki Diamond” sailcloth top that was discontinued way back in 2010/2011. Just want to know if Bestop made any quality upgrades to the sailcloth top construction since then in terms of fabric, windows, stitching etc. Or they are exact same as they were in 2010?

Also do sailcloth versions of “Black Crush & Spice” have different fabric texture to “Black Diamond” or “Khaki Diamond”?

Mine is 2004 and has OEM “Black Diamond” currently.
 
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If anything that 2011 top will fit better than what is being sold today. Quality of the fabric and stitching looks about the same, current products don't seem to fit nearly as well. Bestop sent me three sloppy fitting Safari tops that wouldn't stay attached over the doors. I ended up screwing in five self-tapping screws per side into both door surrounds so it'd stay installed. My first two Safari tops purchased years ago for two TJs fit perfectly. Not so the last three I received (two were replacements for bad fit) earlier this year. You should be fine with that 2011 product.
 
Khaki should look fine on your silver TJ. My TJ in the below photo has a khaki top.

That's a Bestop marketing hottie sitting in my then much newer TJ. 😍

CIMG4009.JPG
 
khaki looks super cool on your black Jeep, I guess it must be at least 10-11 years old now given they were discontinued in 2010/11. Seems to be holding well on your Jeep. I do agree khaki tops are unique looking.
 
khaki looks super cool on your black Jeep, I guess it must be at least 10-11 years old now given they were discontinued in 2010/11. Seems to be holding well on your Jeep. I do agree khaki tops are unique looking.
Mine is toast now after a lot of abuse and little care. That photo is probably from 11+ years ago. I have a $280 replacement top on the way from https://www.autotopsdirect.com/Sier...r-Soft-Top-Blk-Diamond-p/10-40-tj20306-15.htm. Thank you for the recommendation @TheBoogieman
 
The new ones have a tramp stamp on the back that most folks here hate. I got a new one last year without the stamp and the one big thing I see is the zipper on the windows. I don’t remember my older tops having such a light weight zipper in it. I’ve got a coat with the same zipper on it. My windows come off in April and won’t go back on till maybe October, so they don’t get a lot of exercise.
 
Mine is toast now after a lot of abuse and little care. That photo is probably from 11+ years ago. I have a $280 replacement top on the way from https://www.autotopsdirect.com/Sier...r-Soft-Top-Blk-Diamond-p/10-40-tj20306-15.htm. Thank you for the recommendation @TheBoogieman

I've had one of their tops on my TJ for three years and been very happy with it, especially for the price. I think the windows are starting to cloud a bit but I'd have to wash them to be sure. It's also been parked outside in the Arizona sun that entire time.
 
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I've had one of their tops on my TJ for three years and been very happy with it, especially for the price. I think the windows are starting to cloud a bit but I'd have to wash them to be sure. It's also been parked outside in the Arizona sun that entire time.

Gala thanks for the feedback. Looks like a great budget option.
 
I've had three Bestop soft tops (well, seven if you count those that came on my Jeeps from the factory). I added a Trektop Nx to each of my 2008 & 2011 JKs and just added one to my 2000 TJ. The TJ fit was FAR better than on either JK.

I recall all kinds of issues on the JKs.. zipping the rear window was nearly impossible. The tabs that lock the leading edge of the quarter windows into the JK door surround were finger breakers and never fit fully from top to bottom.

On the TJ, the rear window zipps up perfect. There is an additional flap at the inside back corner of the quarter window, that covers and locks into the tailgate bracket, that wasn't on the JK version. There is a vanity strip of velcro backed fabric sewn into the top deck that covers the velcro strip when the quarter windows are out... never had that on the JK. Overall, the fit and finish of the TJ top, purchased a decade or more after the JK tops were purchased, is absolutely top notch.

Two things I can say the JK top had that the TJ top lacks... No elastic straps to hold the rear window in the rolled up position. I used that often and will have to figure out a way to retro fit this to the TJ. And, the JK specific door surrounds have a rain gutter built in, with no plastic clips to secure the sunrider panel into the door surround. Those clips.. I hate them. The JK surrounds have provisions for the top deck frame to sit in the top of the door surround, where the TJ top goes over and around the top of the door surround. The addition of the rain gutter has an obvious advantage of preventing water from running off the top onto your legs or the seats, when you get in the truck after a rain. And, it makes flipping the sunrider top back a simpler affair... no need to unclip anything other than the header bar.

I removed the plastic inserts from the sail panel on each quarter window to make it easier to roll up the windows and still it fits better than any top I have had.

And about the tramp stamp. I removed it. Not that big of a deal to get it off.
 
Two things I can say the JK top had that the TJ top lacks... No elastic straps to hold the rear window in the rolled up position.
Not many recommend its use since it will leave marks/scratches in the window, especially if there's any dirt on the window when it's rolled up. All of my OEM and Bestop tops had those straps, I would cut them off.
 
Two things I can say the JK top had that the TJ top lacks... No elastic straps to hold the rear window in the rolled up position. I used that often and will have to figure out a way to retro fit this to the TJ.

Interesting, my TJ top came with those straps - they attach via buttons to the top and I use them pretty regularly to hold my rear window up.
 
Not many recommend its use since it will leave marks/scratches in the window, especially if there's any dirt on the window when it's rolled up. All of my OEM and Bestop tops had those straps, I would cut them off.

Yep.. if you're not careful you can put some scratches in the rear window. Periodic maintenance with Plexus solves this issue...
 
Maybe I just got lucky, but I bought a Sailcloth Replace-a-Top about 18 months ago and it fits like a glove. Quieter than I remember my previous one to have been. Disappointing to hear the other reviews. I'll keep it in mind whenever it's time for my next one.